Paul Auster Interview: What Could Have Been
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- čas přidán 9. 06. 2024
- “I don’t think there’s a human being alive who doesn’t reflect on what could have been.” Watch the great American novelist Paul Auster on the impact of the choices we make, the obsessive nature of writing and having reached the age of 70.
“It’s impossible for me to conceive of what my life would have been, but it certainly would have been hugely different.” Auster feels that our choices have an enormous influence on our life, and that each choice can lead to possible alternative realities. For example, he met his wife Siri Hustved in 1981 at a poetry reading that he initially didn’t want to go to, and the two were introduced by the only person in the world they both knew: “You begin to think about this, and it’s dizzying.”
Though Auster initially only aspired to write one single book, he soon realized that “you don’t just write one book. There are many things inside you, and one thing leads to another.” He feels that there are very few people in the arts who keep going, and that the ones that do are driven by a sort of obsession: “I’ve always thought of writing or any art as a kind of illness, and you catch it pretty early in life and you’re condemned to do it. Your life will be unfulfilled if you don’t do it, even though it’s very difficult and very, very demanding… so I don’t really feel I have a choice.” The extraordinary thing about writing, he continues, is that you can lose yourself: “You leave yourself behind, and you’re in the work that you’re doing.” Much in the same way, reading a book is a uniquely private experience, which is why books are irreplaceable: “A book is the only place in the world where two strangers can meet on terms of absolute intimacy.”
“In the United States nobody listens to writers, nobody cares what a writer has to say. We are very marginalized and literature is a pursuit that most people are not interested in.” Auster considers the U.S. a very practical nation, where most things revolve around money. Movie actors seem to have filled in the role of public intellectuals in Europe, and are the ones who people for some reason want to listen to: “Which seems neither good nor bad, just bizarre.”
Paul Auster (b. 1947) is a highly acclaimed American novelist. He has published numerous novels such as the ‘The New York Trilogy’ (1985-1987), ‘Moon Palace’ (1989), ‘The Music of Chance’ (1990), ‘Leviathan’ (1992’), ‘The Book of Illusions’ (2002), ‘Man in the Dark’ (2008), ‘Sunset Park’ (2010) and ‘4321’ (2017), as well as autobiographical books such as ‘The Invention of Solitude’ (1982), ‘Winter Journal’ (2012) and ‘Report From the Interior’ (2013). He has also written screenplays for several films, including ‘Smoke’ (1995). Auster is the recipient of prestigious awards such as the Prix Médicis Étranger (1993) and the John William Corrington Award for Literary Excellence. From 2018 he will be President of PEN America.
Paul Auster was interviewed by Marc-Christoph Wagner in August 2017 in connection with the Louisiana Literature festival in Denmark.
Camera: Klaus Elmer Edited by: Klaus Elmer Produced by: Marc-Christoph Wagner Copyright: Louisiana Channel, Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, 2017
Supported by Nordea-fonden
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Hearing that comment about his good health at the beginning is haunting. R.I.P. Paul.
It’s haunting to hear him talk about old age, health, and death after just hearing the news. RIP Paul Auster.
He was a brilliant writer. A wonderful speaking voice. He is indeed no longer with us, none of us get out of here alive, but his body of work remains. Wonderful interview.♥️🍃🍃
Tellement triste que vous nous ayez quittés ❤
They say no one truly dies until their name is spoken for the last time. Paul Auster was a gift.
I could listen to his voice in eternity, so soothing
He doesn't seem to believe in #eternity.
A legend never dies.
What a beauty. RIP.
Thank you for these moments and thoughts.
Thank you for your beautiful stories and the intimacy we've shared 1:1 all throughout the years. RIP🌹
Loved his writing which evolved over the years. 4321 is one of the best novels ever written and reflects our modern understanding of reality and yet remains a development of western fiction tradition.
Total respect for this man and writer.
Looking pretty damn good for 70, Paul!
I think he smokes too, doesn't he?
he looks amazing, he could pass for a 58 y.o. Seriously
My favourite living writer, there are few books I would reread, but I would reread all of his.
Same here. Moon palace
4321 is a brilliant novel. So nice to see/hear this great author.
RIP Mr. Auster
RIP Paul ❤
I have always been a big admirer of Auster's work. But until these videos, I never knew much about him as a man. Now I have come to admire him greatly in that sense as well. Thank you, Louisiana Channel, for uploading these wonderful interviews!
Here is a literary genius speaking to us all. We must listen to him at any cost otherwise there will be no longer chance to it in future. Written words are invaluable and they are irreplaceable with spoken ones
This is my favourite interview.... great views expressed by Paul Auster
Very interesting guy. Love that backdrop, what a cool looking place to sit and talk about writing!
Paul & Siri are such an interesting people! So accurate in their thoughts...amazing people!
R.I.P. Paul Auster
RIP PA - I wish that I had read all your works, but I've read " the Invention of Solitude", which delineates the nuance between solitude and loneliness.
Thanks for sharing, Paul. I had quite a belly laugh at your point that when something happens in America, people want to hear from movie actors, which is neither good or bad... just bizarre. Absolutely hilarious.
Thank you for the video;
His books are just, fascinating to read. Also, really nice interview.
fantastic interview!
Rest in Peace Paul Auster
I like his books, I have read almost all of him but the best of his was Moon palace, the New York trilogy and Brooklyn Follies. Good writing to learn English. Also the way he talks is great to get better in English listening.
The sad reality of my life is that I'll probably never meet him in my lifetime
Big Voice. Celebrated at German Book Fair.champion of success in Paris
what words !
Has aged very well
I'm a disease denier so it's more how ugly am I going to get before I die. This reflects an apparent overnight change rather than being any kind of snide comment.
Louisiana Channel - what is with comments from Hito Steyerl????
Not in Spain Mr. Auster. Here writers have to go to the newspapers. The television is full of "experts" who are able to talk about every situation : politics, education, taxes, industry, pandemic, war, suicides. They have a specialty in all. So Spain and U.S in one way or another are quite similar.
"There is no need for parenthesis" - Paul Auster
When did he say this? :)
@@Canovil In every Novel he has written.
Kevin Kiely Jnr. He does use many parenthesis sometimes
I don't know you. But after reading so many of your books throughout my life your death feels like a personal beravement and I am really sad.
Where is the new zadie smith interview?
My name is Paul Auster. That is not my real name.
My favourite writer please,could I get his email address?
The interviewer wasn’t good at all.
Yep, sometimes It seems that the guy is asking questions without listening to Auster's answers.